The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to forego trials for selecting the wrestlers to represent India at the World Olympic Games Qualifier scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 9 to 12. This decision follows the Delhi High Court’s instructions from March 7. Instead of holding fresh trials, WFI will send the wrestlers who competed at the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, earlier this month but failed to earn Olympic quotas.
“The WFI has decided not to hold the selection trials. All the 14 wrestlers, who came first during the first selection trials and represented the country in the Asian qualifier, are eligible to compete in the World qualifier.” a source from WFI revealed to The New Indian Express.
The court order had specified that the winners from the trials held on March 10 and 11 were to compete in both the Asian and World Olympic qualifiers. The Asian qualifier saw India earn four Olympic quotas in women’s wrestling, with Antim Panghal (53kg) securing a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships. Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Reetika Hooda (76kg) also secured quotas at the Asian qualifier.
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Despite these successes in the women’s categories, there remain significant gaps in the men’s events. The World qualifier represents the final chance to secure 14 remaining Olympic quotas, including 2 in women’s wrestling (62kg and 68kg), 6 in men’s freestyle, and 6 in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Initially, WFI had planned to hold additional trials due to the lackluster performance by the male wrestlers at the Asian qualifier. This decision was made even after Deepak Punia (86kg) and Sujeet Kalkal (65kg) were unable to compete due to delays at the Dubai International Airport caused by unexpected weather, leaving them unable to attend the weigh-in process.
The challenge at the World qualifier is expected to be significantly tougher than the continental one, with a strong international field set to compete in Turkey. This makes it a critical event for Indian wrestlers aiming to secure spots in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
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